"I-Tim," my Minister said, grabbing my arm. Is he afraid I'm going to scratch his wannabe mistress's face off?
"Just kidding! Long time no see. Congrats on your dad becoming the PM. And sorry about earlier, I wasn't looking where I was going," I gave her a mysterious, knowing smile. Even though we were in different faculties back in uni, we had to cross paths constantly during student union activities.
"Sure. Thanks. So... who is this? Aren't you going to introduce your friend?"
"I don't usually share my personal life with people I'm not close to. Sorry about that." I glanced at the Minister. He was as still as a statue, not a single peep out of him.
"That's fine. I get it. You're probably embarrassed about having a boyfriend who isn't much to look at, so you have to keep him all covered up. So, what do you do for a living, sir?"
Go ahead, poke around! You're digging your own grave, honey. Keep insulting him, so he can see your true colors and never want to look at your face again.
"I work at the Ministry of Education," he replied. His voice sounded a bit muffled through the mask, but anyone familiar with him would recognize it instantly. Except for her, apparently, because her eyes and ears were tuned to a completely different frequency.
"Oh my! Same place as my boyfriend!" She laughed and looked at my husband. "Did you see the news, Tim? My boyfriend is Minister Panin. The one you used to have such a huge crush on."
Disaster! Absolute disaster. The Minister's head snapped toward me so fast I thought he'd get whiplash. You didn't have to spill everything, you Poison Ivy!
"I feel bad for you. A country girl like you can only dream. There's no way a man like him would ever cross paths with a teacher earning fifteen thousand a month like you. Oh! Sorry, sir, for bringing up the past. Back in school, Tim really adored Khun Panin. Just a little crush, you know? I hope you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all," he said.
Well, I mind! There goes my secret.
"That's so great! I'm at your office a lot. Feel free to say hi. I don't care how low your position is, I'm not judgmental like that."
You're literally digging your own grave with those insults, Poison Ivy.
"Sure, friend. Thanks a lot. I hope we never cross paths again in this lifetime."
"Oh, we have to! You have to come to my wedding with Khun Panin, Tim. I'm even saving a bridesmaid spot for you!" She grabbed my hand as if we were the best of friends.
"Don't you think you might end up in the 'mistress' spot instead, Poison Ivy? Your Minister is quite old, you know. He might already have a secret wife. Who knows?" I was giving her the biggest hint of her life.
"I know him very well, dear. Talking to you is a waste of my time. I'm off! Bye, friend's boyfriend. Good luck!" She waved at me like a beauty queen. Her 'innocent' persona from the media was completely gone.
"Well? What do you think of your someone-on-the-side? Her brain is truly award-winning. Pure genius." I wanted to laugh in her face a thousand times. I wonder what face she'll make when the truth comes out.
"Forget her."
"That's it? No comment? She just insulted you to your face! Who does she think she is?"
"I only care that my wife adores me." He smiled. I could tell he was smiling even under that mask.
"That was... the past. I stopped adoring you a long time ago."
"Really?" He leaned in close. How is anyone supposed to survive this? Don't play with my heart like this, Sir. I'm easily shaken!
"Of course. Let's go home. Your sons are probably waiting for their dad to come and apologize."
"Why should I apologize to them? They did wrong, they get punished." Back to this again. His face went back to being stressed. I'd told him a dozen times in the car to speak to his kids nicely.
"Yes, they were wrong, but you don't have the right to use such harsh words with them. Even I felt terrible listening to you. They're in their turbulent teens, standing at a major crossroads in their lives. You need to use more 'art' in the way you speak. You can charm the whole country on stage, but with your own sons, you're a total disaster. This isn't working."
"You're crossing a line, I-Tim."
"Oh, come on. Was I too harsh? Sorry. But it's the truth, right? You made up with your wife, now go make up with your sons. I want to see a 'happy family' for once. Please?" I actually ended up clinging to his arm, pleading.
"If I agree, what do I get in return?" Always the negotiator. He never wants to be at a disadvantage.
"Fine. Whatever you want. As long as your 'equipment' still works, you can have that baby."
"Hmph," he shook his head.
"I mean it! But not right now. We'll see when I'm ready."
"Alright." He nodded.
"Thank you!" I beamed. The picture I had imagined was slowly starting to appear. Life is funny like that.